I have been reading some of my mother’s writings. Even as a child, Laura was very aware of the powerful influence of the weather. For example, a story she wrote in third grade begins, “There is a bank of clouds in the west, so maybe tonight we will get some blessed rain.” In Laura’s own life, a much-needed summer rain decided whether there would be new school shoes for her and her siblings.
One of Laura’s fourth-grade stories begins, “Joseph could have outrun the bull, but slipping on the ice-covered earth caused him to fall to his death.” This dramatic moral story had a stern ending about taunting the huge bull in a winter fallowed field. If only Joseph had heeded his wise father, none of this would have happened.
Through this fictional story, Laura shared her own fears about the scary bull eyeing her over the barbed wire fence as she walked to and from country school. Laura avoided Joseph’s fate by always walking on the far side of the road, even when rain or snow made that path less comfortable to travel. Cleaning muddy shoes was better than coming face to face with the bull.
Another fourth-grade tale includes, “The strong west wind caused Sally’s dress to brush the burning logs in the fire she was tending. Her skirt was a-fire! What began as a happy day making soap turned into a bad day.” Mercifully, this story had a better ending for Sally. She only singed her nice dress and was scolded. The dress could be patched so that it was hardly noticeable. “After a good supper that night, Sally washed her face with the new soap before saying her prayers and going to bed. As she snuggled under the Lone Star quilt, Sally heard the wind blowing in trees near the window. Then she fell asleep.” Again, young Laura acknowledges the power of weather in her Kansas farm life.
On this 2020 northeastern Kansas summer morning, I think about our ongoing
rural relationship with weather. In July, we have had rains! The fields are green and lush. Fields of corn and beans look great. Recently, a neighborhood farmer explained how she calculates estimated corn yields. As she spoke, it is evident this teenager understands so much more than the math. She lives the reality of production agriculture and livestock. She gets the equation of /+ sweat equity, /+ production costs, /+/-/? weather and /? futures and profit margins. She understands farm life. She gets the ever-present impact of Kansas weather on the lives of current and future farmers in the world of agribusiness.
Thanks to the generosity of these same neighbors, we are enjoying delicious fresh sweet corn. There was such abundance, I have frozen 15 quarts of beautiful corn. For supper last night, we enjoyed fresh corn on the cob. Reaching for his third ear of corn, David remarked that this is one of his all-time favorite menus: grilled hamburgers, sweet corn, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, fresh green beans, and strawberry shortcake. We sat outside for our feast. Rabbits and swooping barn swallows kept an eye on us as we tossed empty corn cobs over our shoulders.
The weather was just right. The evening was cool with just a little breeze. We sat outside until the moon and the stars appeared. Together, we listened to the frogs and the coyotes. The party ended with all having had a great time. Many thanks for the good food and the good company. And much appreciation for the lovely weather.
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